Hi peeps,

I got my provisional licence in 1999, passed my motorbike test in 2004 and ive just passed my car test this week. I rang up an Norwich Union as i just bought a car and they give 7 days free insurance.

Whilst on the phone to them they asked how long i have had my licence for. I told them ive just passed the car test, but he said that this includes my provisional as well and worked out that ive had it for 9 years.

Does anyone know if this is correct? as it cuts my quotes by several hundred pounds, but just sounds unusual.

Many Thanks in advance.

Balsca

Hi,

I even work in the industry and was suprised to hear the same thing recently.

Norwich Union are one the only companies around to do this, but they are correct. Basically they will go from the first date you obtained your provisional licence, this in turn determines you in their eyes as a 'better risk' as you took longer to pass your test. I assume they are on the understanding that someone who practices on a provisional for longer (over a couple of years) is generally at a better standard of driving rather than someone who gets a provisional, takes intensive lessons for 4 months and passes first time.

So yes they have got in correct and i assume your premium cannot be matched elsewhere. Norwich Union are unique in this method and in my opinion is an all round sound product. They even let you pay over 12 equal payments.

In short, go for it, they have got everything correct and they have confirmed this over the phone where telephone calls are recorded, so even if they may have got it wrong (which i very much doubt) you have them over a barrel.

As per 'DEPRESSED1', this sounds correct. Their underwriting decisions have changed regarding this and they feel that the provisional licence holder should class as a licence to drive, even though there are restrictions. This scheme will not work in the long run and very few will follow suit. Most insurers look to NU to try these things out and fail... which they often do.

I'd say 'Don't do it', purely because it's Norwich Union, but we all need 'BETA testers'.

Good luck!

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Coyote

This is interesting - I have an Aunt who has a licence but has not driven in 30+ years. She'd be lethal on the road! But for having held a licence for over 30 years NU would give her reduced price insurance? Bizarre! No wonder all our insurance costs so much these days! What's next, discount for how many TWOC convictions a driver has as they prove you can drive in difficult conditions and definitely don't need "lost key cover" ?

NUMENUS:This is interesting - I have an Aunt who has a licence but has not driven in 30+ years. She'd be lethal on the road! But for having held a licence for over 30 years NU would give her reduced price insurance? Bizarre! No wonder all our insurance costs so much these days! What's next, discount for how many TWOC convictions a driver has as they prove you can drive in difficult conditions and definitely don't need "lost key cover" ?

Hey Numenus,

I like the analogy there, it made me laugh lol!

I see your point RE: having a licence, and putting it into action. However, it does show that the driver is competent to be on the road. A family member of mine who is 78 clearly shouldn't be on the road, and should have a restricted licence. I personally think that everybody should have a driving test every 10 years but this is all a Governmental issue.

Your Aunt is competent to drive on the roads, but will not have a No Claims Discount as she has no history. Her age group coupled with other aspects of the risk will determine a proportionate premium. If she claims, the premium will increase... and so on.

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Coyote